If you’ve been shopping around for a new MacBook or iPad, you may want to hold off on it a little longer. New rumors are suggesting that we can expect cheaper iPads and MacBooks this year. We already know that the MacBook Air may be getting a less-expensive refresh, and the latest news from DigiTimes suggests that Apple will be launching a new 13.3-inch “entry-level” MacBook late in Q2 of this year.
The report points to the new device as a “MacBook,” the screen size suggests that it may be an updated version of the MacBook Air, since the MacBook laptop comes with a 12-inch sized display. Taking a look at the timeline, it matches up with WWDC that will take place in June. DigiTimes indicates that the MacBook will have a Retina Display with 2560 x 1600 resolution.
We previously learned from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that Apple would be releasing a cheaper 13-inch MacBook Air in the second quarter of this year, and that the lower price tag could help the company boost its laptop sales. A few days after that, Economic Daily News came out with a report claiming that the new MacBook Air would cost between $799 to $899, which matches up with Kuo’s report. Currently, the mid-2017 MacBook Air costs $999.
We’ve not just expecting a cheaper laptop option because there will be more affordable iPads coming this year, too. The DigiTimes report says that we can expect an updated 9.7-inch iPad in the second quarter of this year, and a new iPad Pro in the second half of the year.
Generally speaking, we don’t see many price slashes from Apple. For example around holidays, you may see competitors offering huge discounts on their products, but Apple generally doesn’t offer large discounts. Though, these moves may be part of a bigger strategy to move more units this year.
